I don't know that they have any superstition on the subject, as some African people have, on the ground that evil spirits are about at night; but the natives are certainly not brisk, after nightfall.

They are extremely susceptible to any fall of temperature, and as you have, of course, noticed, sleep with their heads covered completely up.

However, we must keep a sharp lookout here, tonight." "You don't think that we are likely to be attacked, sir, do you ?" "It is possible we may be," the doctor said.

"They will know that Captain Clive has set out from here, with the main body, and has left only a small garrison.

Of course they have spies, and will know that there are only eighty men here, a number insufficient to defend one side of this fort, to say nothing of the whole circle of the walls.
They have already found out that the English can fight in the open, and their experience at Timari will make them shy of meeting us again.
Therefore, it is just possible that they may be marching in this direction today, while Clive is going in the other, and that they may intend carrying it with a rush.
"I should say, today let the men repose as much as possible; keep the sentries on the gates and walls, but otherwise let them all have absolute quiet.